Hits and Misses at Silver Spring Mining Company

Sometimes after a long week, all you want is some greasy TGI Friday’s-style food. Something fried, something smothered in cheese – or both. You can deny it, but you and I both know the truth.

Having been to Silver Spring Mining Company (11100 York Rd. in Cockeysville) in the past, I knew I could count on the large menu for these American cuisine favorites, but this last visit was decidedly hit and miss.

is a pleasantly odd mix. Upon entering, you’ll see a diner-like display case of desserts and other dishes, but look to your left and there’s a sports bar. The dining room itself is reminiscent of a mining company (my best guess?) with its stall-like booths and light wood walls.

The service was friendly and attentive, but unfortunately my meal peaked at the beginning. True to form, I ordered a crock of French onion soup ($5.49) to start. I got my cheese fix with what can only be described as a tarp of Swiss and provolone cheese covering the hot, sweet onion soup with its deliciously soggy bits of bread.

One of my dining buddies ordered a cup of the cream of crab ($4.59), which looked deceptively creamy to us before we realized the apparent thickness was really just a film on top. The crab soup was thin and mediocre, missing that true crabby flavor.

He tried again, however, ordering the crab cake platter ($15.99) with a side of fries and steamed (translation: microwaved) broccoli. But the small crab cake was a disappointment as well, mostly made up of filler.

Our other dinner partner opted for the promising chicken provo sandwich ($10.39), prepared with sautéed mushrooms and provolone cheese with a side of honey mustard dressing. In theory, the sandwich would have been a homerun, but in practice, the chicken breast was overcooked, leaving this dinner a disappointment as well.

I, however, enjoyed my main course, even though I suffered from extreme indigestion shortly after. I can’t blame Silver Spring for that though; my choice of the Baltimore Reuben ($12.59) left no doubt as to what the end result would be.

There’s really not a lot that’s actually “Reuben” about the Silver Spring’s Baltimore Reuben, but nevertheless, it’s a decent sandwich. Open-faced on marble rye, the Baltimore Reuben features shrimp and crabmeat with Thousand Island dressing, bacon, tomatoes, and cheddar jack cheese.

Honestly, I couldn’t taste the tomatoes and barely knew they were there. I also question mixing Thousand Island dressing with seafood, and the sandwich was a bit of a greasy mess, but as stated, this was what I was looking for. I was pleased at the heaping portion of jumbo lump crabmeat, crispy strips of bacon, and gooey, cheesy topping.

Overall, not the worst meal I’ve ever had, but not the best. Maybe there’s something to be said for the old, chain restaurant standbys after all.